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Pre-natal Development and Birth
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My Birthday
I was born into the world at 6lbs, 9 oz and 21 inches. Breathing reflex begins at birth before the umbilical cord is cut. -
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The First Two Years
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Family Bonds Created
My mother and grandparents are my primary caregivers due to my mother giving birth at such a young age with no other support besides her parents. -
Newborn Dreaming
Dreaming begins to occur due to a high poroportion of REM sleep -
Breast to Bottle
The end of breastfeeding and the begining transitioning to formula and solid foods. -
Perception development
Identifying my name when called and beginning to associate "Momma" and "Papa" with my mother and grandfather. -
Object permeance
Playing peek-a-boo with toys and objects being hidden by family members. -
Separation anxiety
Crying when being separated from my mother, whom I was always with. My separation anxiety occured until about age 2. -
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The Play Years
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Bad Eating Habits
Needed caps on my two front teeth due to junk food consumption. I was allowed to eat many sweets and paid the price at a young age. I was not deficient in the other nutritional categories but didn't have a limit on my sugar intake. -
Prosocial behavior
Helping a shy and introverted classmate deal with separation from his mom in kindergarten and helped him no longer cry when she left by being a friend. -
Guided participation
Watched my grandmother engage in prayers, novenas, and church activities and learned that religion would become a part of my life at a young age. -
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The School Years
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Size and Shape
I was short, due to my mother's and biological father's genes. I was also underweight. Although I ate healthy, I was unable to gain any weight. My pediatrician did not see any problems with my weight or height. -
Information Processing
I was an avid bookworm, going through a stage where I preferred books to television. I hid in the bathroom reading books instead of doing chores. -
Friendship
Wanting to have the same Keroppi school supplies as my circle of friends. As friends, we all had the same interests and wanted to have the same types of possessions. -
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Adolescence
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Puberty
Did not hit puberty as rapidly as my peers, which led to being teased. Many boys were more interested in the girls that "blossomed" sooner than later. -
It's all about me
I wanted to fit in, have the same cool shoes, wear the same clothes, and be just like all the popular kids. I didn't want to be seen as an outcast and feel like I didn't belong. -
We are Family
Family meant everything, starting at this age. I grew up in a close-knit family with both grandparents assisting with my upbringing. Not only did I receive love, but encouragement and support. My grandfather passed away and it was hard to see him go. -
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Emerging Adulthood
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Identity
Not knowing the bigger impact, I joined the Air Force and left for Basic Military Training. I was off on my own discovering who I really was, the person I wanted to be, and admiring all the characteristics and traits my family instilled in me through my upbringing. -
Social Norms in the Armed Forces
Unlike the "real" world, the social norms of a person in the Armed Forces were a little different. I married Richard when I was 19 years old, barely on my own and supporting myself in the Air Force. I would never have married at such a young age if I wasn't serving my country. -
Sterotypes
Working in a predominantly male career field in the Air Force led to many sterotypes,not just sterotype threats. Because I was one out of a dozen females working in a maintenance squadron, I was automatically looked at as someone who did not know how to do her job and as a waste of time and space. The "good ole' boy" system was still in place, far after equal opportunity rights existed. -
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Adulthood
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Analytical Intelligence at work
First day of being a full-time college student at the age of 26. I've always loved school but finally made the transition of completing my time serving my country and now towards my educational goals to become a nurse. -
Exercise
Now more than ever, health and exercise has been a driving factor in my lifestyle. I not only take care of my body since it's the only one I have, but try to develop good nutritional skills for my children. I want to live a long, healthy, and prosperous life and still enjoy it on my own to a ripe, old age. -
Empty nest
Elliot, now 19 will finally be on his own, experiencing his life as an adult. With him and his older brother, Devin out of the house, Richard and I can go back to partying like there's no tomorrow! :) -
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Late Adulthood...Death and Dying
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Shiny and White
I no longer look as if I were 40. My hair has gone from a deep, dark chocolate brown, to peppery gray-white, and now finally white. Many more wrinkles are found on my face from years of happiness and laughter. My skin has become thin, showing age spots that I didn't have before. -
A New Adventure!
My husband and I retire...ready to move on to a new adventure in life. With time to travel, explore, escape, or relax we prefer to continue aging on a journey, than in one particular place. -
Getting Older...and Wiser
Over 50+ years of life experiences, I know more than I have ever in my life. Now an elder to generations below, I hope to advise others in the right directions in their own lives. -
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Death and Dying
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Slowdown
With age comes many changes. I find it hard to retrieve information, feeling as if my memory is "failing". Because I am older, I no longer react as quickly as I once did at earlier ages in life. Although it may take me a little longer with my thoughts, I can still solve problems and focus on tasks. -
Acceptance of Mortality
After being alive for 90 years, I finally can say that I accept the fact that soon I will die. I am not anxious, scared, or worried. I know that I have lived my life as happy as I could -
A Celebration of New Life
I die at 98. My children and family have a Christian funeral to celebrate my new life with God. They share food, drinks, laughter, and tears of all the memories we made throughout the years.